Anonymous
map-marker Naples, Florida

4926.00 mistake

Could not find all these reviews until I had paid half in advance and delivered boat.Suppose to get clean 175 hp Johnson ,traded in my blown up 150 that was a 1984 and got his 175 that looks 50 years older it's a joke.Took 6 months and 4000 phone calls to get boat back on pick up day had to wait about two hours for him to finish but *** did not want to leave it again.All the gauges on my 1983 ranger worked when I took boat in ,when I got it back nothing did he did not hook anything up.I took care of speedo , water pressure gauge as far as tach boat is in shop ,has bad stator 469.00 bucks just for stator .Now that doesn't mean the rectifier isn't bad cause can't check it without stator,what a nightmare. My motor is still under warranty what good is that you can't get this man to help nor will he do the right thing . And yes boat was taken back to have these things checked ,overheat buzzer was going off he stopped that ,said he had no time to check other problems.Please if you value your money do not spend with these people you will be very disappointed ,by the way I never complained to him not once about how long it was taking to build my motor and he still stuck it straight up my ***.( motor replacement 5-8 weeks in writing per Viking --Actual time 6 months)

View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Guest

6 months?? I've been waiting for 1year and 4 months now

Anonymous
map-marker Clermont, Florida

Fabricated Reviews

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

I find it interesting that a shop with such a HORRIBLE track record could maintain an "A" rating from the BBB. These UNFOUNDED reviews are just that, UNFOUNDED.

We have been building quality outboard motors for 39 years and maintained an "A" rating from the BBB for MORE than 20 years. The internet is a great tool, but it has it flaws. Call anytime for a LONG LIST of return customers who will give a TRUE review of our operation. We build, between 2 shops, an average of 1.5 motors per week or +/- 75 motors a year.

There are 4 UNFOUNDED reviews here going back to 2012.

We have built 300 motors since the oldest review. THAT is how you maintain an "A" rating from the BBB.

View full review
Pros:
  • Great price
  • Great motor
Reason of review:
Great Motor, Great Price
Anonymous
map-marker Tampa, Florida

Fraud, lies, Dont throw away your $

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

how has this guy not been arrested for fraud yet??? He has nothing but bad reviews all over the internet and I understand why now!!

I wish I would have done more research on this piece of *** Stay away from this person if you are smart. He uses the same scam on everybody according to many reviews and he did it on me. He will take your money up front either for a rebuilt motor he has to build or for him to rebuild yours. Then the stories come!!!!

he uses this excuse and that excuse!!!! Then when you finally threaten him after a year, he will tell you to go pick up the pile of *** that he rigged together just enough to start. Well guess what, that piece of junk you just picked up is just about to blow up. When you bring it right back to him the next day, he will tell you that the BS warranty that he gives you doesn't matter because it blew from a pre existing condition.

I have read this story over and over again online.

I screwed up by not doing my research and I paid the price. Stay away from this master of fraud!!

View full review
2 comments
Guest

ANOTHER Infounded review! How do these websites survive? Talk about FRAUD!!

Guest

TOTALLY FALSE REVIEW

View more comments (1)
Antonette Usw
map-marker Clermont, Florida

Absolutely Terrible

Everything Ron told me was a complete lie from the beginning. He is a story teller and a scam artist.

What you can expect in the end is a complete loss of your hard earned money with a side of extreme anxiety after you realized you lost a year waiting for the guy to rip you off. After he took my money, he gave me a blown motor and then told me to sue him, which I did!!!

Stay away from this ***, anyone in the business that knows him will tell you the same!!! He has terrible reviews for a reason and if there is a good one, he wrote it himself.

View full review
Loss:
$5000
3 comments
Guest

NEVER told ANYONE to “Sue” us that is why sites like this are a WASTE of time. Check our rating with the BBB, a CREDIBLE reporting agency!

Guest

Anyone can HIDE behind a computer and say what they want. How could a company that has been in business for 36 years, continue to build quality motors, and maintain an "A" RATING from the BBB (Who DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY)if they were this bad.

The answer is simple. We build 50-75 motors, in 2 shops, a year and here are 2 or 3 fabricated customers.

I thought if it was on the internet it had to be true. :cry :cry :cry :cry

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-791358

You dont maintain an A rating on the BBB...big suprise...more lies...Clearly you dont know how the BBB works! If you were registered with them people would have written terrible reviews just like they have all over the internet about you and your so called business.

I dont know how you sleep at night ripping people off like this. You build 50- 75 motors a year!!!!!!!!

Give me a break!!! :grin

View more comments (2)
Keesha Lmz
map-marker Polk City, Florida

1 1/2 year nightmare

Had an horrific experience with this guy. Just talk to him for a while and you will see what a nut job he is.

It took him 1 1/2 years to build a motor for me. It was one absolutely crazy excuse after another while my boat sat in his *** hole yard getting filthy. He kept saying it will be ready in a week or two. And when he FINALLY said the boat was done not only did he install the controls in backwards --- I had to have all of the carbs rebuilt AGAIN.

It's been a while since I took my boat back from this guy but I had to bring it back twice driving 2 hrs one way and it still didn't get to running right! Had to take another mechanic a just to repair his many ***-ups. It was just one bad thing after another. Even had to take the boat to his son another hour away twice to repair and/or replace even more shoddy workmanship.

I swear to every god ever worshiped that I had to spend at least $2500.00 just to get the motor running right.

STAY AWAY!!!! VERY FAR AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit

Delete

View full review
Loss:
$2500
5 comments
Guest

Gotta LOVE people who HIDE behind computers! We have NO record of any of these imposters!

Guest

Anyone can HIDE behind a computer and say what they want. How could a company that has been in business for 36 years, continue to build quality motors, and maintain an "A" RATING from the BBB (Who DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY)if they were this bad.

The answer is simple. We build 50-75 motors, in 2 shops, a year and here are 2 or 3 fabricated customers.

I thought if it was on the internet it had to be true. :cry :cry :cry :cry

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-791353

This is my last reply to the absolutely horrible experience I had with this so-called company.

I have already given ample evidence of who I am and what I had to go through with just to finally receive an outboard motor after waiting 1 1/2 years while hearing one nut-job excuse after another. Then I had to spend and additional $2,500.00 just to make it right.

And this man knows EXACTLY who I am and what he put me through!!!

So how about, for your rebuttal, you post some pics of your so-called shops. What I saw was a small outdoor shed, littered with junk motors in a horse pasture that you did not own while living in a motor home. Or, show just a little positive testimony form satisfied customers. Betcha can't or won't do that either.

In closing, I will say that maybe things have changed.

I don't know. But I do know and vividly recall even you relating stories to me about dissatisfied customers and how you did not believe their complaints. Should have been just one more red flag for me. But you keep saying, "I'll have it ready in a week or two.

I promise". Then came one nut-job/incompetent excuse after another.

Dan -- From Sebastian with the "Nightmare Merc"

Remember that term you and I used so often during scores of phone calls? Or, ask your son in Ft Pierce, who I had to drag the boat to 3 times after receiving it from you so he could fix your mistakes.

And I STILL had to take it other mechanics!!! Let it go Ron. I am done with it. Just do the next right thing.

Huh?

Guest

I am waaaaaaay past the nightmare of dealing with you. Had to spend $2500.00 of my money to correct your horrible mistakes. Just go to ripoffreport.com and see my last response identifying myself. And I left out sooooooooo much. HINT: 'Nightmare Merc from Sebastion'. I know *** good and well you remember it! I bet your son does, because I had to take my boat to him three times (an hour drive) --- in addition to the three times coming back to your joke of a shop. A 6 hour long round trip drive. And I might add, quite the embarrassment of having to explain to legions of people why my boat was gone from my yard for almost 1 1/2 years.

Hey. Here is a challenge: Take some pics of your so-called shop and post them. HA! You will NEVER do that!

As for "factual accountability". I have, and will post all documents to back my claims. Again, I left out a lot. But what tangible proof I have will completely destroy you. And your "shop" was a small open air shed on someone else property littered with unusable junk outboards.

You may have turned things around. I don't know. But I am moved on.

PS.

The extremist right-wing *** you spew on your web site is further evidence that you are not quite right in the head and lack critical thinking skills.

.

Guest

As the owner of Viking Marine Services I have to say, allowing people to write freely, without factual accountability does no service to anyone. I have no idea who this is.

We build 1.5 motors per week, about 75 a year and we have been doing it since 1976 some THIRTY EIGHT YEARS. We have an A rating with the BBB and been listed as a "Business in Good Standing" with Dunn and Bradstreet since 1979. These agencies DEMAND FACTS when complaints are filed. We build affordable, quality outboard motors and have thousands of satisfied customers.

It's a shame people find pleasure in posting false complaints.

Most of the time it is a rival shop who is not able to keep up with us. That is what you get when there is absolutely NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

View more comments (4)
Anonymous
map-marker Dallas, Texas

Viking Marine, Claremont FL STAY AWAY!!!!

I am FUMING MAD!!! I first contacted Viking Marine and Ron Dvorak in July of 2010. Ron told me how he was the best motor builder in the state and described his philosophy on outboard motors. 13 MONTHS and $3350.00 and NO RUNNING BOAT!! This guy is a JOKE and so is VIKING Marine! My friend who I referred before I realized what a BS'er Ron turned out to be is getting more of the same run-around and we are both regretting ever getting mixed up with him.

That's right 13 MONTHS to do about 10 hours of work.

Ron is NOT a professional outboard motor builder, he is a professional excuse maker!!!

STAY AWAY, FAR AWAY!!!

View full review
Loss:
$3350
6 comments
Guest

John Mecelli, who wrote this post, is a 40 year old child. He cries about everything, not just our shop.

The friend he referred is Dave and Dave told us, a couple of years ago, that BOTH John's and his motors are RUNNING GREAT. He also ended his friendship with John over what he called, "Childish behavior". Anyone can HIDE behind a computer and say what they want. How could a company that has been in business for 36 years, continue to build quality motors, and maintain an "A" RATING from the BBB (Who DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY)if they were this bad.

The answer is simple. We build 50-75 motors, in 2 shops, a year and here are 2 or 3 fabricated complaints.

I thought if it was on the internet it had to be true. :cry :cry :cry :cry

Guest

This is John Miceli from Palm Bay. The boat is still running great and he has since apologized.

It say's "Dallas Texas" for Christ Sake. As the owner of Viking Marine Services I have to say, allowing people to write freely, without factual accountability does no service to anyone. I have no idea who this is. We build 1.5 motors per week, about 75 a year and we have been doing it since 1976 some THIRTY EIGHT YEARS.

We have an A rating with the BBB and been listed as a "Business in Good Standing" with Dunn and Bradstreet since 1979. These agencies DEMAND FACTS when complaints are filed. We build affordable, quality outboard motors and have thousands of satisfied customers. It's a shame people find pleasure in posting false complaints.

Most of the time it is a rival shop who is not able to keep up with us. That is what you get when there is absolutely NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

Guest

More blathering on and excuses from a tired old man. This guy doesn't give a *** about his workmanship and even less about his customers. I just had a reputable mechanic look at my engine after a very ginger break in period. The leaking heads and gaskets that I pointed out to Ron are STILL leaking. He told me it would stop after the motor was broken in. More lies!! The motor was running a little rough since I got it and come to find out Ron installed a bad trigger and only five of the 6 spark plugs were firing. The motor ran like this from the beginning. Ron has a pile of junk in his garage that he picks through to build these GREAT motors he says he has been building for 35 years. And more BS from from Ron about my good friend Dave who found his gauges hooked up with an extension chord. I wonder who did that Ron? I have pictures of the shoty wiring job, the leaking gaskets on my engine if anyone is interested. Instead of using a proper wiring harness for the coil assemblies on my engine, Ron uses butt connectors and lighting wire. Now I have to pay about $200 plus labor to get the trigger fixed and all the cylinders firing. Par for the course when you are dealing with Viking Marine. Ron has an excuse for everything and when your stuff doesn't work he will tell you to bring it back so it can sit in his yard for more weeks. Ron doesn't like hearing the truth and that is why he is calling me a crybaby, but the truth is this guy will *** over at the drop of a hat. I welcome you to speak to Dave who Ron refers to in his rebuttal. He will tell you more horror stories in dealing with Ron.

As I said before.

STAY AWAY, FAR AWAY!!!!!!

Keesha Lmz
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-490153

I, like surely so many others, had a worse experience. Absolutely horrible!

1 1/2 years, scores of excuses, 4 loooooog drives back to have it attempted to be fixed right, and finally $2500.00 spent on a real marine mechanic. There HAS to be more out there like me!

Guest

Best way to read this is to click on my user name so you can see all of the text. We have been in business for OVER 35 YEARS and the review written by giovani, above, is TOTALLY INVALID.

His name is John Miceli and his friends describe him and an angry child. Nothing is ever right. He has a 15' Viper with a V-6 Mercury that we built for him. The boat, according to John, "Runs Perfect".

His friend that he makes reference to is named David and he is more than happy with his boat. Call us at (863) 984-**** and we will be happy to pass his number to you. By the way, David is no longer John's friend because, as David puts it, "He a big cry baby". If someone has a problem with one of our motors they need to call US.

John FORGOT to mention that we discovered the transom was bad when removing his old motor. Most shops would have just installed the motor anyway just to get paid, WE DID NOT. The boat was NEVER at our shop for that kind of time, although motors do take from 6-12 weeks to complete, depending on the time of year. Most people are willing to wait for a good motor.

John also suggests that I told him I was "The Best Motor Builder in Florida". While I am very good, I would never make a statement like that even if it were true. I don't let my ego get in the way, TAKE A LESSON HERE, JOHN. We have the best warranty in the business and honor it regaurdless.

If fact, John, who states, "NO RUNNING BOAT", broke his lower unit after a couple of runs. EVEN AFTER he filed a complaint with the BBB, which was closed as "Invalid", we WARRANTIED the lower unit. A new one was installed, NO CHARGE, and his boat runs perfect. We DO NOT treat IDIOTS with any less respect than any other customer.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM JOHN MICELI SINCE. Please read the legitimate reviews and understand that it doesn't take any valid complaint to write an invalid review. Check with the BBB if you have any questions about our 36 YEARS of service to the Boating Community, and some 500 Motor Sales over the years.

Feel free to call me, Ron Dvorak, at (352) 242-****, Toll Free at (888) 984-****, or Cell at (863) 670-****. I am, as always, available 24/7.......

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-379385

Ron Dvorak is a scam artist and a story teller. He will lie straight to your face and take your money then will tell you that your motor had a pre existing problem and make you feel like you are the problem.

This guy has nothing but terrible reviews all over the internet. He ripped me off for $2500 and he dragged it out for almost a year with his BS stories. How has this *** bag not been arrested for fraud.

American greed needs to do a story on him. Do not trust Ron Dvorak/ Viking Marine, he will rip you off!!!

View more comments (5)

Why Trust Reviews on PissedConsumer?

  • Professional auto and live moderation
  • 100% user-generated content
  • Equal opportunity and protection
  • Zero tolerance for fake reviews
  • Verified content
  • PissedConsumer is on the Inc. 5000 list

For more information read Blog article